Physiologically active agents containing vicinal dithioglycols and use thereof in various branches of economy

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the production of food and can be used to obtain food additives, biologically active food additives. The invention discloses the use of vicinal dithioglicol of general chemical formula RCH(SH)CH(SH)R 1  as a food additive or a biologically active food additive having the property of binding carbonil compounds present in food products and the human body according to the reaction resulting in the formation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal which are easily removable from the human body as well as able to form complexes with ions of bivalent metals providing a physiologically beneficial effect on the transportation of said ions through sell membranes, on the glycolysis process, on the enzymatic catalysis process, on the catabolism of carbohydrate moiety of amino acids and on thiol-disulfide equilibrium in the metabolism of amino acids. As well as inhibiting undesirable processes in food products and human body.  
     The invention also describes food additives, biologically active food additives, food products containing vicinal dithioglicol as well as processes for producing said additives and products.  
     The technical result of the claimed technical solution is the use of vicinal dithioglicols as having immuno-corrective effect on human organism and stimulating a number of physiological processes and inhibiting undesirable processes in organisms and food products such as fatty acid peroxidation. On the ground of the above vicinal dithioglicols are used in food production to increase shelf life of products, to create new dietetic foodstuff, to increase biological value and activity of food, to enlarge the number of manufactured food additives and biologically active food additives.  
     The invention also relates to cosmetology, particularly to medical cosmetology and dermatology. It can be used to prepare novel cosmetic agents, cosmetic means for treating skin by adding compounds selected from the group of vicinal dithioglicols as ingredients to cosmetic and/or dermatological preparations. Vicinal dithioglicols have a number of physiologically advantageous properties allowing to provide novel characteristics to cosmetic and dermatological means in relation to their action on skin and hair. The invention relates to a novel topical formulation? To a method of using the formulation and to a method of producing the same. It relates to compositions able to improve the condition and appearance of skin and having medicinal and prophylactic effect on hair and nails.  
     The invention also relates to agriculture, for instance for production of feed and mixed fodder or in veterinary. Vicinal dithioglicols can be used as physiologically active substances and active ingredients of feed additives and/or feed and/or of other preparations for domestic animals, poultry, and pets.  
     The invention teaches to use at least one vicinal dithioglicol as an active ingredient of physiologically active means, feed additives, feed having immunity stimulating and antioxidant effect and chemical activity of irreversible binding and removing some widespread toxic compounds from organisms of animals and poultry, such as heavy and radioactive metal compounds including mercury, lead, polonium, caesium, bismuth, cobalt, cadmium, as well as arsenic and other toxins. Vicinal dithioglicols of the claimed preparations stimulate some important physiological processes in organisms of animals and poultry. The invention also discloses a feed additive, feed for animals and poultry and other means comprising this substance, methods of their production and administration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Food Production:

[0002] The invention relates to the production of food and it may beused to obtain a food additive which extends the shelf life of foodproducts and a food supplement which is able to improve the immunity andto provide a physiologically beneficial effect; the supplement may bewidely used for alleviating the hangover syndrome and which may be addedinto liquors and soft drinks, into bakery products, confectionery andother food.

[0003] Cosmetology and Dermatology:

[0004] The invention also relates to cosmetics, in particular to medicalcosmetics and dermatology and may be used to obtain novel cosmeticagents comprising, as active ingredients having cosmetic dermatologicalaction, vicinal dithioglycols which have physiologically beneficialproperties allowing to provide novel characteristics of cosmetic meansfor the treatment of skin and hair. The invention relates to a noveltopical formulation, to a method for using the formulation and to amethod for producing the same. It relates to compositions able toimprove the condition and appearance of skin and to provide therapeutic,therapeutic-prophylactic effect on the skin and which are able tobeneficially act on hair.

[0005] Animal and Poultry Keeping

[0006] The invention also relates to agriculture and may be us-ed, forinstance, for production of feed and mixed fodder, or in veterinary,when physiologically active substances and active ingredients areadministered to agricultural animals, pets and poultry, with feedadditives to enhance the immunity, to promote growth and importantphysiological processes in the organisms of the animals and poultry, toreduce the level of heavy metals and toxic compounds in milk of thedairy cattle and in meat of the livestock and poultry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Food Production

[0008] RU patent 2134045 C1 (published on Aug. 10, 1999) discloses afood supplement comprising a base and Eleuterococcus extract, as well asa method for producing the supplement, comprising the steps of mixingingredients, pelleting and drying.

[0009] RU patent 2,131,680 C1 (1999) suggests to use lactulose as anadditive to soft drinks to alleviate the hangover syndrome to provide aprotecting effect on the liver. Lactulose may be added in dry or liquidform to soft drinks in a technologically acceptable amount. First, theadvantageous effect of lactulose is based on that it binds and bringsout from the body some toxic substances present in the consumed liquor,and second, it diminishes the stress effected on liver by ammonia andamines, by means of promoting the growth of anaerobic lactobacteria inlarge intestine.

[0010] RU 2099984 C1 (1997) discloses composition used in preparation ofa soft drink “Pokhmelyok” alleviating the hangover symptoms; thecomposition comprises salt, sodium citrate, organic acids, namely lacticand citric acids, xanthane resin, ascorbic acid, dried whey, a cucumberflavor and spice flavors.

[0011] RU 2005391 C1 (1994) discloses a soft drink “Ametist” forelimination of harmful effects of consumption of beverage alcohol, suchas ethanol withdrawal syndrome and damaging effect of post-intoxicationon the heart. The drink is prepared by adding choline and glycerol towater, mineral water or fruit or vegetable juice used as a liquid base,this base being a source of potassium and sodium salts and fructose.Said additives are added to the product in appropriate amounts.

[0012] Food supplements for reducing hangover are also known. Saidadditives are usually added directly into the liquor, especially invodka.

[0013] RU 2104297 C1 (1998) discloses vodka “Na troikh”, comprisingglutamic acid added to reduce harmful effect of alcohol.

[0014] RU 2137402 C1 (published on Sep. 20, 1999) food additivecomprising hyaluronic acid, algae and a filler is known, as well as amethod for preparing thereof is known (the patent.

[0015] RU 2130064 C1 (1999) discloses a vodka and a method forpreparation thereof, comprising adding fumaric acid and sugar to thepreliminary mixture of water and ethanol in order to improve its tasteby reducing the content of undesirable compounds (aldehydes and esters)in the mixture, treating the mixture with charcoal and filtrating it.

[0016] RU 2129156 C1 (1999) discloses a method for preparing vodka,comprising adding 10-50 mg/dm³ of succinic acid sodium salt thereof(sodium succinate) to preliminary mixture of water and ethanol after thecharcoal treatment, to reduce toxic effect of ethanol and to improvequality and biological acceptability of vodka. The addition of saidsubstances results in esterification of ethyl alcohol with the acidresidue of succinic acid (succinate ion). In this reaction some esters(ethyl succinate, diethyl succinate) are formed, which have deodorizingproperties; the resulting vodka has a soft smooth taste without thestrong smell of ethyl alcohol. Furthermore, succinic acid is anantioxidant and prevents the formation of acetaldehydes from ethanol,thus reducing the harmful effect of vodka.

[0017] However the above mentioned ingredients, additives andsupplements used the methods for preparation of beverages foralleviating the hangover syndrome demonstrate low chemical activityagainst the formation of stable water-soluble aldehydes and ketoneswhich are responsible for the hangover. In addition, the prior artadditives to alcohol-containing beverages to alleviate the hangover,such as fumaric or glutamic acids, do not react with aldehydes andketones which impair quality and biological acceptability of liquors.

[0018] RU 2044543 C1 (1996) discloses the use of unithiol (a compoundrelating to vicinal dithioglycols) in clinical practice as anantioxidant in a complex with α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid fortreatment of enteric fever (typhoid).

[0019] Cosmetology and Dermatology

[0020] Skin is a complicated multi-component system comprising differenttissue layers, glands, follicules and other systems providingintracellular and extracellular flows. Therefore, only the means whichtake into account the complexity and specific characteristics of thissystem may be efficiently used for skin care. Skin and hair often losesome biologically active substances because of the contact with coloringagents, cleaning agents and other chemicals, owing to non-balancednutrition of skin, hair or of the whole body. Said and other factorslead to disbalance of metabolic processes. The skin care is oftenconnected with the treatment of skin exposed to a harmful externalinfluence of heat, radiation or other deleterious conditions.

[0021] RU 2145841 C1 (2000) discloses a method for improving therapeuticproperties of vegetable preparations for care of the head skin and hair,comprising adding ceolite particles having a size distribution from 0.01to 10 μm in amount of 30 to 50 wt. % to the vegetable preparation afterdrying and grinding the vegetable starting material into powder.Advantageous dermatological properties of the vegetable preparationobtained by the method are connected with the surface absorption ofceolite particles, enhancing the ability of alkaloid molecules to act onthe hair and skin of the head, and this leads to enhancing thetherapeutic effect of medicinal herbs for treating skin disorders. Themethod is directed to the enhancement of the effect of biologicallyactive substances present in traditional vegetable components ofcosmetic products. Although the added ceolite comprises usefulmicroelements, it does not comprise substances promoting thetransference of the microelements deep into the skin tissue; the lack ofsaid substances to some extent reduces the therapeutic effect of thepreparation obtained by the method.

[0022] RU 2113216 C1 (1998) discloses a cosmetic formulationaccelerating the renewal of the skin cells at a small irritation; theformulation comprises a mixture of organic acids derivatives thereoftaken in a certain proportion, an anti-irritation agent, antioxidantsother substances traditionally applied in cosmetics and dermatology. Inpreferred embodiments, keratolytic agents are used, which do not causeexcessive immune response. However the disclosed formulation does notcomprise the substances for replenishing sulfhydryl groups ofsulfur-containing amino acids which are indispensable for promotion ofthe growth of keratin-containing tissues.

[0023] RU 2127579 C1 (1999) discloses a preparation for care of the headskin, said means comprises a lipid base, a preservative, a fragrant,cysteine, α-tocopherol, emulsified liquid glycerides of subcutaneous fatof a sea mammal as a lipid base, and methyl ester of paraoxybenzoic acidat a certain quantitative ratio of components being used as apreservative (the patent. The drawback of the known agent consists inthat the added sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine being a valuableadditive, does not provide for penetration of metal ions into cells ofthe skin tissues as well as does not provide for a complex antioxidantand preserving effects on the composition of the cosmetic formulation.

[0024] Active ingredients of the mentioned cosmetic preparations andmethods consist have insufficient chemical activity for binding andremoving toxins or toxic metal compounds, therefore they are accumulatedin the skin, effecting further damage to the skin. Furthermore, theabove indicated agents and methods do not offer the combination of highphysiological activity, antioxidant properties and stimulating effect,along with the binding and elimination of toxins.

[0025] Animal and Poultry Keeping

[0026] The prior art agents useful as feed additives in breeding cattle,poultry and furry animals for various aims including reduction ofundesirable and toxic substances in the products of animal origin,intensification of growth of animals and poultry, improving the qualityof fur, etc. are known.

[0027] For example, RU 2013965 discloses an absorbent additive which isa by-product obtained during clarification of wine. The additivecomprises transition metal ferrocyanide and bentonite to reduce thelevel of radionuclides in the flesh of the animal by preventing transferof cesium radionuclides from the feed into the body of the animal.

[0028] RU 2035911 C1 (1995) discloses a method for promoting the growthof broilers, comprising the administration of a supplement in the formof a concentrated vegetable extract from lucerne (alfalfa) hay, theextract comprising water-soluble salts of metals such as Mo, Ba, Pb, Co,V, Cr, Zn, Fe, Sn in certain amounts per kilogram of vegetable weight.

[0029] RU 2109460 C1 (1998) discloses a granulated composition forfeeding ruminant animals and a method for producing the same. Thegranules include a coating layer and a core comprising a physiologicallyactive agent. In said composition the physiologically active agent is atleast one substance selected from the group consisting of amino acids,amino acid derivatives, vitamins, vitamin derivatives, enzymes,medicaments for animals, hormones, carbohydrates, nutrients,microorganisms, minerals and mixtures thereof.

[0030] RU 2019980 C1 (1994) discloses a composition for improving thequality of fur obtained from furry animals. It comprises a carrier and amixture of amino acids, and it is subcutaneously administered to theanimal.

[0031] RU 2145845 C1 (1995) discloses a supplement comprising ionophore,selenium, suitable veterinary medicaments, a carrier, diluent, filleradjuvant. The supplement is administered to animals in capsules forprolonged release and increases the weight gain of the animals, preventsdiseases of the animals owing to the increased consumption of the activeingredients of the supplement.

[0032] RU 2067398 C1 (1996) discloses a feed additive and a method forfeeding turkey, wherein the novel use is made of the known synthetic4,9,11-triene steroids, in particular, trenbolone acetate, as a feedadditive for oral administration instead of their subcutaneousadministration used previously.

[0033] However the above additives and active agents have insufficientchemical activity to bind and remove various toxins or toxic metalcompounds from the body, and this leads to accumulation of the harmfulsubstances in animals and in food obtained from them. Furthermore, theabove agents and methods do not provide high physiological activity,antioxidant properties and the strengthening of immunity, in addition tothe binding and eliminating of toxic substances,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Food Production

[0035] The present invention uses vicinal dithioglycols as a foodadditive or supplement. Said dithioglycols strengthen the immunity andstimulate essential physiologic processes such as glycolysis, metabolismof lipids and metal ions, and enzymatic processes. They may bind variousradicals and inhibit undesirable processes in the body and in food, suchas peroxidation of fatty acids. It is found that the beneficial effectof vicinal dithioglycols, in addition to their known properties, isconnected with their ability of the physiologically irreversible bindingof carbonyl compounds present in food and in the body, including thebinding of ketone bodies formed in the body, as well as with theirability to form complexes with bivalent metal ions, providing thephysiologically beneficial effect on transportation of said ions throughthe membranes of cells, on glycolysis, on enzymatic catalysis, oncatabolism of amino acids molecules and on thiol-disulfide balance inthe metabolism of amino acids. In addition to the above statedadvantageous effects, the use of vicinal dithioglycols in food productsallows to extend their shelf life, to create new healthy products, todevelop novel dietary products, to add to their nutritional value and toenhance the physiological activity of the food products, to offer morefood additives and supplements for consumers.

[0036] The objects of the invention are achieved by means of the use, ina food additive or supplement for novel food products, of vicinaldithioglycols having general formula (I):

[0037] wherein R is —H, —COOH, or —SO₃H, and

[0038] X is —H, —COOH, —OH, —CH₂—COOH, —CH₂—SO₃H, or —CH₂—O—CH₂—SO₃H;

[0039] or acceptable salts of the dithioglycols having groups —OH, COOH,or —SO₃H, which are able to form a salt.

[0040] According to the present invention, a composition of the additiveor supplement is provided, which comprises vicinal dithioglycol and acarrier in amount of up to 99.9999 wt. % of the total weight of thecomposition.

[0041] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method forproducing a food additive or supplement, the method comprises mixingvicinal dithioglycol and a carrier; the carrier being used in amount ofup to 99.9999 wt. % of the total weight the composition.

[0042] In the present invention various carriers or fillers may beuseful, such as flavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biologicallyactive ingredients, mineral substances and salts thereof, vitamins,enzymes, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffering agents,antioxidants, vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, seaproducts, extracts from the products of animal origin or sea products,animal and vegetable proteins or protein extracts, amino acids,carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, water, soda water or mineralwater of any ionic composition, organic acids, organic materials such asproducts of metabolism of microorganisms, products of biosynthesis,products of photosynthesis, microbial biomes or extract of the biomassproduced by any known method, food additives or other ingredientsappropriate for food application, or any combination of the abovesubstances taken in the desired proportion and produced by any knownphysical or chemical method of treatment, maintaining or not maintainingor enhancing their biological activity.

[0043] In its further aspect, the present invention provides a foodproduct comprising mixing a food base with vicinal dithioglycol, or withthe food additive or supplement comprising vicinal dithioglycol, in aratio in weight percents: vicinal dithioglycol, or a food additive orsupplement 0.0001-49 comprising vicinal dithioglycol food base the rest

[0044] The advantageous result in the above aspects relating to theproduct and method may be achieved with any appropriate food base.

[0045] A food base of the food product may further comprise otheradditives such as flavoring agents, fragrances, coloring agents,biologically active ingredients, minerals or their salts, vitamins,enzymes, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffering agents,antioxidants, vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, seaproducts, extracts of the animal products or sea products, animalproteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animal and vegetable proteins,amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, water, potablemineral water having any ionic composition, organic acids, organicsubstances such as metabolic products of microorganisms, products ofbiosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract ofthe microbial biomass produced by any known method, traditional foodadditives or ingredients, or any mixture thereof.

[0046] A food base of a product may be a beverage. Advantageously, theproduct will be an alcoholic drink or a soft drink or a mixture thereof.

[0047] The alcoholic drink according to the present invention willcomprise a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol in any proportion (i.e.aqueous ethanol solution).

[0048] The product may be any alcoholic drink, but advantageously itwill be vodka, liqueur, e.g. liqueur having fruit flavor, schnapps,cognac, brandy, whisky, gin, rum, calvados, sake, tequila or any otherliquor, wine, vermouth, champagne or any other effervescent wine, beeror an alcoholic drink having a lower content of alcohol.

[0049] Soft drink according to the present invention may comprisepotable water taken in a liquid state or solid state (in the form ofice), including mineral water having any composition, fruit juice,vegetable juice, or any mixture thereof in any combinations andproportions; the soft drink may comprise milk or milk products, tea,coffee, cacao, kissel, compote or fruit drink.

[0050] The food base for the food product may be confectionery or asemi-finished product.

[0051] The confectionery according to the invention may beadvantageously caramel, marmalade, chewable marmalade, expanded(whipped) confectionery comprising texturing agents, bakedconfectionery, chewing gum, ice cream, or chocolate confectionery.

[0052] The food base for the confectionery product may comprise sugar,salt, substitutes thereof, or dry beverage mix.

[0053] The food base may be an extruded food product. Suitable extrudedfood products include the products of processing cereals or potato.

[0054] The food base may be tinned product including such products asvegetables, meat, fish, fruit and berries.

[0055] Tinned fruit is advantageously olives.

[0056] The baked food base may be advantageously crackers, rolls orshortbread.

[0057] Dried fruit, candied fruit, nuts and seeds are also suitable asthe food base according to the present invention.

[0058] Another aspect of the invention relates to the method forproducing a food product, comprising adding vicinal dithioglycol or afood additive or supplement comprising vicinal dithioglycol, to a foodbase in the process of preparing the food product, wherein vicinaldithioglycol or an additive comprising vicinal dithioglycol is taken inamount from 0.0001 to 49 wt. % of the total weight of the food product.

[0059] The food base, vicinal dithioglycol, food additive or supplementcomprising at least one vicinal dithioglycol, taken in any physical orchemical state, may be subjected to a chemical treatment which mayinclude such reaction as addition, splitting, oxidation, reduction, to amechanical treatment which may advantageously include mixing, grinding,separation, vibration treatment, isolation, dilution, filtration,degassing, vacuum blowing, carbonation or saturation with a mixture ofgases, concentration advantageously using the methods of membraneseparation or methods of sorption; they may be subjected to thermal,electromagnetic, electrophysical, bioenergetic, acoustic, ultrasoundtreatment or aggregation. At the same time, the addition of vicinaldithioglycol to the food base or food additive/supplement comprisingvicinal dithioglycol may be carried out by means of soaking, adhesion,dispersing a solution comprising at least one vicinal dithioglycol,spraying at least one dry vicinal dithioglycol or a dry mixturecomprising it on the food base. The product may be subjected tofinishing treatment, advantageously such as aggregation, granulation,tabletting, cooling, heating, pasteurization, sterilization,pre-packaging or packaging.

[0060] The advantageous result may be achieved by adding vicinaldithioglycol or a food additive/supplement comprising thereof, to anyfood base.

[0061] As the food base may be used such products as flavors,fragrances, coloring agents, biologically active ingredients, mineralsubstances and salts thereof, vitamins, enzymes, preservatives,emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffering agents, antioxidants, vegetableextracts, products of animal origin, sea products, extracts from theproducts of animal origin or sea products, animal and vegetable proteinsor protein extracts, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils,water, soda water or mineral water of any ionic composition, organicacids, organic materials such as products of metabolism ofmicroorganisms, products of biosynthesis, products of photosynthesis,microbial biomass or extract of the biomass produced by any knownmethod, food additives or other ingredients appropriate for foodapplication, or any combination of the above substances taken in thedesired proportion and produced by any known physical or chemical methodof treatment, maintaining or not maintaining or enhancing theirbiological activity.

[0062] Any beverage may be used as a food base for preparing the foodproduct according to the present invention.

[0063] An alcoholic drink or a soft drink or a mixture thereof may beadvantageously used as the beverage.

[0064] The addition of at least one vicinal dithioglycol to an alcoholicdrink provides further effect consisting in imparting soft smooth flavorand taste to the alcoholic drink, free from the strong smell of booze.Such effect is explained by chemical interaction of vicinal dithioglycolwith aldehydes present in the alcoholic drink, binding the aldehydes,which improves the sensory characteristics of the beverage according tothe present invention.

[0065] In this case an alcoholic drink may be prepared by a simplemixing drinking water and ethyl alcohol.

[0066] As an alcoholic drink, use may be advantageously made of readymade vodka, different liqueurs, including fruit liqueur, schnapps,cognac, brandy, whisky, gin, rum, calvados, sake, tequila, any otherliquor, wine, vermouth, champagne, other effervescent wine, beer, otherbeverages having lower content of ethanol or semi-finished beverages ofthis group.

[0067] Soft drink according to the present invention may comprisepotable water taken in a liquid state or solid state (in the form ofice), including mineral water having any composition, fruit juice,vegetable juice, or any mixture thereof in any combinations andproportions; the soft drink may comprise milk or milk products, tea,coffee, cacao, kissel, compote or fruit drink.

[0068] The food base for the food product may be confectionery or asemi-finished product.

[0069] The confectionery according to the invention may beadvantageously caramel, marmalade, chewable marmalade, expanded(whipped) confectionery comprising texturing agents, bakedconfectionery, chewing gum, ice cream, or chocolate confectionery.

[0070] The food base for the confectionery product may comprise sugar,salt, substitutes thereof, or dry beverage mix.

[0071] The food base may be an extruded food product. Suitable extrudedfood products include the products of processing cereals or potato.

[0072] The food base may be tinned product including such products asvegetables, meat, fish, fruit and berries.

[0073] Tinned fruit is advantageously olives.

[0074] The baked food base may be advantageously crackers, rolls orshortbread.

[0075] Dried fruit, candied fruit, nuts and seeds are also suitable asthe food base according to the present invention.

[0076] If a food product having biologically active properties isrequired, vicinal dithioglycol may be added to any food product from theabove group, imparting immunity correction and other physiologicallyuseful properties to the final product. The amount of vicinaldithioglycol added one way or another the to food products depends onits specific application. When it is used as preservative for a tinnedproduct, the added amount of dithioglycol is selected with regard to thecomposition and properties of the tinned product and to the requiredperiod of storage. When vicinal dithioglycol is used to impartbiologically active properties to the food product, then its amount isselected with regard to physiological requirements and economicconsiderations.

[0077] The food additive comprising vicinal dithioglycol has theproperty of extending shelf life (the period of storage) of the foodproducts, as well as of improving their quality, owing to reduction ofoxidative processes and the physiologically irreversible binding ofcarbonyl compounds present of formed in the food products. The foodsupplement comprising vicinal dithioglycol has immunity correctionproperties too, owing to its effective physiologically irreversiblebinding of carbonyl compounds which are present both in food and body,and owing to the binding of ketone bodies in the human body in thefollowing reaction (2):

[0078] wherein R₁ and R₂ are any carbohydrate radicals or hydrogen, thereaction products being stable, water soluble and easily removable fromthe body. Furthermore, the effect of vicinal dithioglycols on the immunesystem and other systems of the human body is achieved by their abilityto stimulate physiologically beneficial processes in the body and toinhibit undesirable processes. Accomplished studies have shown thatvicinal dithioglycols, in addition to the immunity correction (orimmunity modification), also demonstrate immunostimulating effect,subject to the method of application, its specific target and state ofhealth.

[0079] The advantageous result is achieved owing to prompt andphysiologically irreversible interaction between vicinal dithioglycoland carbonyl compounds present both in food products and in the humanbody, owing to the binding of ketone bodies in the reaction (2)resulting in formation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal which are easilyeliminated from the human body, as well as owing to the effect on thethiol-disulfide equilibrium in metabolism of amino acids and owing toinhibition of undesirable processes such as lipid peroxidation.

[0080] In particular, vicinal dithioglycols include:

[0081] 1. Dithioglycerol (“Dicaptol”, BAL) of formula (6):

[0082] 2. Sodium 2,3-Dimercaptopropane sulfonate (“Unithiol”) havingformula (7):

[0083] 3. 2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (“Succimer”) of formula (8):

[0084] 4. Sodium 2-(2,3-Dimercaptopropoxy)ethane sulfonate (“Oxathi-ol”)having formula (9):

[0085] Vicinal dithioglycols are used as medicaments providingprotective effect against radiation, and as antidotes in the cases ofintoxication with heavy metals and their compounds, in particular, forthe treatment of arsenic, lead or mercury intoxication (Mashkovsky M.D., “Medicine preparations”, Moscow, Meditsina publishers, 1988, Vol.2,pp. 181-183; and “Chemical Encyclopedia”, Moscow, SovietskayaEncyclopedia publishers, 1990, Vol.2, pp. 91-92). The above compoundsare water-soluble substances of low molecular weight, having two vicinal(i.e. adjacent) mercapto-groups being the active sites for capturingheavy metals, radionuclides included. The chemical properties of saidcompounds are well studied.

[0086] The physiologically beneficial effect of vicinal dithioglycols onthe immune system and other systems of the human body may be furtherexplained by the ability of the dithioglycols to form complexes withions of bivalent metals, for example, calcium, magnesium, zinc, whichcomplexes provide a beneficial effect on the processes of transportationof metal ions through the cell membranes, on glycolysis, on enzymaticcatalysis, on catabolism of carbohydrate moieties of amino acids andother processes, by reaction (3) (exemplified for zinc):

[0087] The maintenance of thiol-disulfide equilibrium in body tissuesdue to the presence of dithioglycol is provided owing to that, whennatural amino acids are spent in the enzymatic catalysis, the deficiencyin thioalcohol group (—SH) in cysteine and homocysteine is filled fromdithioglycol.

[0088] Furthermore, the studies have shown that vicinal dithioglycolsare able to extend the shelf life of food products. This may beexplained by the chemical activity of vicinal dithioglycols in respectto peroxide radicals. The preserving effect may be also achieved byvirtue of binding carbonyl compounds present in the product or formedduring the storage.

[0089] Thus, the advantageous result is achieved owing to the complexeffect of vicinal dithioglycols on the human body; the effect combinesthe immunity correction properties and chemical activity in respect toketone bodies and carbonyl compounds, in particular aldehydes andketones. The use of vicinal dithioglycol as a therapeutic antioxidantagent is known. Thus, in addition to the known antioxidant effect,vicinal dithioglycol also has novel properties of the binding ofcarbonyl compounds, stimulation of important physiological processes andinhibition of undesirable processes in the body. Such combination ofproperties allows to use vicinal dithioglycols, for example Unithiol,Succimer and other substances of this group, separately or in the formof mixtures, as a food additive or supplement to food products and as aningredient of food additives and supplements. Besides, vicinaldithioglycol may be used in particular for elimination of the hangoversymptoms, that is, the unpleasant consequences of alcohol consumption,appearing next day after the intake of alcohol, —headache, weakness andso on. In our opinion, the food additive comprising vicinal dithioglycolmay be widely used in food and agricultural products as the preservativeat the same time.

[0090] Cosmetology and Dermatology:

[0091] According to another aspect of the present invention, it issuggested to use vicinal dithioglycols for developing new cosmetic anddermatological products having improved physiological effects such asantioxidizing, stimulating and detoxicating effects on the skin, ontissues close to the skin and on hair, and stimulating other importantphysiological processes such as glycolysis, lipid metabolism,transportation of metal ions, enzymatic processes, the binding ofundesirable radicals and inhibition of undesirable processes such asfatty acid peroxidation. The use of vicinal dithioglycols in saidpreparations allow to enhance their biologically active properties.

[0092] Thus, for advantageous result, it is suggested to use vicinaldithioglycols which were previously used as antidotes in case ofintoxication with heavy metals, as an active ingredient of cosmetic ordermatological compositions, cosmetic or dermatological preparations, ordermatological medicaments.

[0093] The cosmetic or dermatological preparations according to thepresent invention, comprising at least one vicinal dithioglycoldemonstrate immunity modification and antioxidant properties; it hasbiologically active effect on the skin tissues, on keratin materials andon the whole body; and they provide the binding and elimination of theheavy metal compounds from skin tissues and hair, as well. Vicinaldithioglycols previously have not been used as active ingredients ofcosmetic or dermatological preparations or in preparation ofphysiologically active means for the medical treatment of the skin,keratin material, having the effect of immunity modification andstimulation, protection and antioxidizing. In addition, vicinaldithioglycols were never used in dermatology and cosmetology as activeingredients for solving the problem of elimination of heavy metalcompounds from skin tissues and hair, for binding peroxide radicals inskin tissues, to reduction of irritating effect of the preparation onthe skin and mucous membranes, as well as to enhance biological valueand activity of cosmetic and dermatological preparations and to extendtheir shelf life.

[0094] The advantageous result is achieved owing to the physiologicallyirreversible interaction between vicinal dithioglycol and heavy metalions, resulting in formation of complexes; said metal including Pb, Hg,and such ions as As³⁺, Sb³⁺, Bi³⁺ which relate to the widespreadman-caused toxins. The metal-dithioglycol complexes of formula (4),wherein E represents As, Sb or Bi, and complexes of formula (5), whereinM represents a metal atom, are thermally stable and water soluble;

[0095] said complexes provide elimination of heavy metals from the bodyand regulation of thiol-disulfide equilibrium in the metabolism of aminoacids, by means of binding peroxide radicals and inhibiting lipidperoxidation. Furthermore, owing to the ability of dithioglycols to formcomplexes with ions of calcium, magnesium, zinc and other bivalentmetals, stimulating effect of vicinal dithioglycols on metabolicprocesses in the skin and hair tissues is achieved, providingphysiologically beneficial effects on the processes of transportation ofthe ions through the cell membranes, on glycolysis, on enzymaticcatalysis, on catabolism of carbohydrate moiety of amino acids and otherprocesses according to the reaction (3):

[0096] The maintenance of thiol-disulfide equilibrium in body tissues inthe presence of dithioglycol is provided owing to that, when naturalamino acids are spent in the enzymatic catalysis, the deficiency inthioalcohol group (—SH) in cysteine and homocysteine is filled fromdithioglycol.

[0097] Taking into account that keratin comprises sulfur-containingamino acids such as cysteine and cystine, the presence of at least onevicinal dithioglycol acting as donor of sulfhydryl groups, isphysiologically useful in cosmetic or dermatological compositions. Inkeratin molecules, the stability of disulphide bonds improves under theaction of proteolytic enzymes or hydrolysis. In the presence of vicinaldithioglycol, the synthesis of keratin from amino acids intensifies,providing the stimulation of keratin growth, and in relation topharmaceutical preparations, this action provides healing effect for theskin damaged by physical or chemical impact.

[0098] Antioxidant properties of vicinal dithioglycols may be explainedby the binding of peroxide radicals, which results in thephysiologically beneficial inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the skincells. The same process of inhibiting oxidative processes in cosmetic ordermatological compositions extends their shelf life. The presence ofvicinal dithioglycol in the cosmetic or dermatological compositionsreduces the irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, caused by lipiddegradation products such as aldehydes and ketones. Said reduction isprovided owing to the ability of vicinal dithioglycols for thephysiologically irreversible binding of carbonyl compounds.

[0099] Thus, the advantageous result is provided owing to the complexeffect of vicinal dithioglycol, combining immunity modifying, immunitystimulating, antioxidizing properties, chemical reactivity in relationto heavy metals and metal compounds, in particular lead, tin, polonium,cadmium, antimony, arsenic, bismuth and mercury. Such combination ofproperties allows to use vicinal dithioglycols as active ingredients ofcosmetic and dermatological preparations or compositions, and inmedicaments for the skin treatment.

[0100] Thus, the advantageous result is provided by means of includingat least one vicinal dithioglycol, as an active ingredient, into acosmetic or dermatological composition, or into a medicament for theskin treatment.

[0101] Said advantageous result is achieved by that the biologicallyactive means for treating the skin or keratin tissues, prepared in theform of a cosmetic or dermatological composition or in the form of amedicament for the skin treatment, such as ointment or dressing,comprises at least one vicinal dithioglycol as an active ingredient inthe cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable carrier. Vicinaldithioglycol or a mixture of vicinal dithioglycols is used in amount of0.00001 to 99 wt. % of the total weight of the preparation, preferably0.0001 to 25 wt. % and more preferably 0.001 to 5 wt. %. The preparationaccording to the present invention further comprises at least oneadditive which is selected from the group consisting of thickeners,fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, glycerol esters of fatty acids,silicones, surfactants, emulsifiers, fragrances, preservatives, sunprotectors, proteins, amino acids and their derivatives, organic acidsand their derivatives, enzymes, hormones, vitamins and theirderivatives, polymers, vegetable oils, essential oils, animal fats,mineral or synthetic oils, vegetable extracts, animal extracts, beeproducts, derivatives of lipids, derivatives of proteins, pickles,microelements, tannins, biologically active substances and any otheradditive traditionally used in the field of cosmetics and dermatology.According to one embodiment, the beneficial effect of the preparationmay be enhanced by adding a salt solution comprising ions of magnesium,calcium or another bivalent metal. Vicinal dithioglycols are able toform water-soluble complexes with ions of bivalent metals; saidcomplexes easily pass through the cell membranes, activatingtransportation of ions of said metals. According to another embodiment,the effectivity of the preparation may be improved by the addition ofproteins to the composition of the preparation; the group of usefulproteins comprises collagen, keratin or derivatives thereof, forexample, their hydrolyzates. Said proteins improve the adsorbingproperty of the preparation, which is useful, for example, in shampoosand hair sprays. The combined action of vicinal dithioglycol andhydrolyzate of any one of the indicated proteins activates theregeneration of the skin and hair cells, compensates the deficit ofamino acids, normalizes the skin hydration. The provided effect is acharacteristic feature of vicinal dithioglycols, because they may becalled promoters of biologically active substances. In combination withthe sources of bivalent metals, vicinal dithioglycols promote thepenetration of metal ions through the cell membranes; in combinationwith hydrolyzates of sulfur-containing proteins they activate synthesisof keratin. In other combinations vicinal dithioglycols are able toprovide other physiologically beneficial effects. They will find manyapplications in cosmetics also owing to the fact that some of them, forexample Unithiol, are water soluble antioxidants.

[0102] Advantageously, the cosmetically or dermatologically acceptablebase of the preparation is water or a mixture of water and at least onecosmetically acceptable solvent. In this embodiment, water may bepreliminary subjected to special treatments such as demineralization,degassing, distillation, carbonation or saturation with a mixture ofgases, electrophysical treatment, electromagnetic treatment, acousticand in particular ultrasonic treatment, membrane filtration,bioenergetic treatment. Cosmetically acceptable solvents may be selectedfrom the group consisting of monoatomic alcohols, polyatomic alcohols,glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and mixtures thereof.

[0103] The desired result may be achieved irrespectively of the specificform of vicinal dithioglycol present in the composition. For example, itmay be diluted in a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable carrieror it may be in the form of a dispersion of particles.

[0104] Preferably, the preparation comprising at least one vicinaldithioglycol is destined for a topical application, that is, on the skinand in particular on the skin of the head and on keratin-containingmaterial and in particular on human hair. The preparation may be in theform of a gel, ointment, emulsion, thick cream, liniment, balsam,lotion, foam, shampoo, hair spray, or it may be in the form of a meansfor the hair treatment such as rinsing, coloring, discoloring(blonding), hairdressing, hair straitening, hair waving, hair fixing; itmay be in the form of a means for the skin treatment such as anointment, mask, tonic means, cleaner, spray, powder including liquidpowder, compact powder, cosmetic pencil, or in any other traditionalform used in the field of cosmetology or dermatology.

[0105] The desired result may be achieved irrespectively of the specificpackaging of the preparation. The preparation may be packaged, forexample, in a tube, small jar, or vial made of resilient andnon-resilient materials, a pulverizer or an aerosol container to obtainspray or foam.

[0106] Advantageously, the preparation comprising at least one vicinaldithioglycol should be in contact with the skin or keratin-containingtissues such as hair, in order to provide the desired effect. Saidcontact may be accomplished for example by applying the preparation onthe skin or hair. Alternatively, the contact may be accomplished byapplying a material, on which the preparation according to the inventionis applied. After the treatment, the applied preparation may becompletely or partially removed, if it is necessary, for instance, withthe use of a special hygienic sponge or by washing.

[0107] Animal and Poultry Keeping

[0108] Further aspect of the present invention relates to the novel useof vicinal dithioglycols and it is directed to the development ofphysiologically active agents having immunostimulating, antioxidizingand detoxicating effects on the body of animals and poultry, and whichare able to stimulate other important processes such as glycolysis,metabolism of lipids, transportation of metal ions, enzymatic processes,

[0109] to bind radicals as well as to inhibit undesirable processes suchas peroxidation of fatty acids. The use of vicinal dithioglycols willallow to activate the beneficial properties of the feed and feedadditives.

[0110] According to the present invention, it is suggested to usevicinal dithioglycols used previously as antidotes against theintoxication with heavy metals, as a physiologically active agent in thefeed or feed additive for animals and poultry. Said agent has theimmunostimulating and antioxidant properties; it has a biologicallyactive effect on the animal body and it provides the binding andelimination of the heavy metal compounds from animals and poultry.

[0111] Thus, it is suggested to use vicinal dithioglycols as an activeingredient in the physiologically active composition of the feedadditive or feed supplement, or in the preparations for inhalation,injection and implantation. Until recently vicinal dithioglycols wereused in medicine only as antidotes or radioprotecting agents, andsometimes for different aims, but they were never used as an activeingredient for a feed supplement or as a physiologically active agentfor peroral administration to animals and poultry to obtainimmunostimulating and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, vicinaldithioglycols were never used in the livestock keeping as an activeingredient of feed additives for elimination of heavy metals from milkand meat products, as well as for improving dietary value and biologicalactivity of the feed.

[0112] The advantageous result according to the present invention isachieved by physiologically irreversible interaction between vicinaldithioglycol and heavy metal ions, which form complexes including lead,mercury, As³⁺, Sb³⁺, Bi³⁺ and other heavy metals relating to thewidespread contaminants of feed and, consequently, of milk and meat. Thedithioderivatives of formula (4), wherein E represents As or Sb or Bi)and complexes with metals of formula (5) (wherein M represents a metal)are thermodynamically stable and water soluble:

[0113] that provides for excretion thereof from the body of animals, aswell as by affecting thiol-disulfide equilibrium in meta-bolism of aminoacids, as well as by binding peroxide radicals and inhibitingperoxidation of lipids.

[0114] Furthermore, stimulating effect of vicinal dithioglycols onimmune and the other systems of the animal body is achieved by theability of said compounds to form complexes with ions of calcium,magnesium, zinc other bivalent metals; the complexes providephysiologically beneficial effects on transportation of said ionsthrough the cell membrane, on glycolysis, enzymatic catalysis,catabolism of carbohydrate moiety of amino acids and on otherphysiological processes, according to the reaction (3):

[0115] Maintenance of thiol-disulfide equilibrium in body tissues in thepresence of dithioglycol is provided owing to that, when natural aminoacids are spent in the enzymatic catalysis, the deficiency inthioalcohol group (—SH) in cysteine and homocysteine is filled fromdithioglycol.

[0116] Antioxidant properties of vicinal dithioglycols may be explainedby the binding of peroxide radicals, which results in thephysiologically beneficial inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the skincells

[0117] Thus, the desired result is achieved owing to a complex action onthe body of animals and poultry of the suggested chemical compound whichcombines in itself immunostimulating and antioxidant properties andchemically active properties in respect to heavy metals and compoundsthereof, in particular to lead, tin, polonium, cadmium, antimony,arsenic, bismuth and mercury. Such a combination of properties allowsusing this substance as a supplement to feeds used in particular forlowering the level of heavy metals in milk and milk products as well asin meat of animals and poultry.

[0118] The advantageous result is achieved by that the physiologicallyactive product according to the present invention comprises at least onevicinal dithioglycol and a filler or solvent in amount of up to 99.99999wt. % of the total weight of the agent.

[0119] Advantageously, the filler or solvent suitable for the productaccording to the invention is a feed base, so that the proportionbetween vicinal dithioglycol or mixture of vicinal dithioglycols and thefeed is as follows (in wt. %): vicinal dithioglycol, or a mixture ofvicinal dithioglycols 0.00001-49 Feed base the rest

[0120] The composition of the physiologically active product maycomprise the filler and/or solvent in amount of up to 99.99999 wt. % ofthe total weight of the means.

[0121] The product according to the invention may comprise products ofanimal or vegetable origin, sea products or extracts thereof, organicacids, microbial biomass, extract of the microbial biomass, products ofbiosynthesis, photosynthesis, chemical synthesis, pharmaceuticalproducts, or by-products of microbiological, food or pharmaceuticalindustry as the feed base.

[0122] The feed base may be liquid. It may be sugar, or salt, or a drymixture to be reconstituted with water. The feed base may also be anextruded material or semi-finished product.

[0123] A feed base may further comprise vitamins or derivatives thereof,enzymes, amino acids or derivatives thereof, hormones, minerals or saltsthereof, organic acid or derivatives thereof, antioxidants,preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, microorganisms, nutrients,flavors, fragrances, or coloring agents.

[0124] The content or ratio of any one of the above listed ingredientsof the product according to the invention is selected with regard to thephysiological reasonability, veterinary requirements and otherconsiderations including the cost of the product.

[0125] The physiologically active product for animals and poultry may beproduced in different forms. The specific form of the product isselected with regard to general and particular conditions of the animalkeeping and the physiological habits of the animals and poultry to befed with the product.

[0126] The advantageous result is also achieved by that thephysiologically active product for animals and poultry may be animplant, or a mixture for inhalation, or a solution for injection.

[0127] The composition of the product may further include alcohol, oil,pH buffering agent, saline, potable water, mineral water of anycomposition, as a solvent for the active agent according to the presentinvention.

[0128] The method for producing the physiologically active product foranimals and poultry comprises adding at least one vicinal dithioglycolof general formula (1) being one of the active ingredients of theproduct, to a filler or solvent so that the amount of vicinaldithioglycol or a mixture of vicinal dithioglycols is in the range from0.00001 to 49 wt. % of the total weight of the product composition.

[0129] The method may include, prior to the addition of at least onevicinal dithioglycol into the filler or solvent, the step of subjectingseparate ingredients or the whole composition to a chemical and/ormechanical treatment, advantageously to mixing, grinding, separation,vibration, isolation, dilution, filtration, degassing, vacuum blowing,carbonating or saturation with gas mixture, concentrating,advantageously with the membrane separation methods or sorption methods,and they may be subjected to thermal, electromagnetic, electrophysical,bioenergetic, acoustic or ultrasound treatment, or aggregation.

[0130] The addition of vicinal dithioglycol may be performed by anymethod, for example by surface application or soaking, by dispersingand/or spraying the solution comprising at least one vicinaldithioglycol; then the product may be subjected to a final treatmentwhich is advantageously aggregation, granulation, tabletting, cooling,heating, and/or pasteurization, sterilization, preserving, and/orpre-packaging or packaging.

[0131] The advantageous result is also achieved by that vicinaldithioglycols of general formula (1) are used as active ingredients offeed additives.

[0132] Advantageously, the ration of animals and poultry comprisesphysiologically active agents, feeds or feed additives, which comprisevicinal dithioglycols of general formula (1) or which are produced bythe methods comprising the step of adding vicinal dithioglycols ofgeneral formula (1).

[0133] Thus, the present invention is directed to the use of vicinaldithioglycols as active ingredients of physiologically active agents,suitable also as feed additives to the ration, as the feed ingredients,as ingredients of the preparations for injection, implantation orinhalation. The active agent for the animals and poultry provides thecombination of immunostimulating, antioxidant properties and chemicalactivity to heavy metals and their compounds, in particular to lead,tin, polonium, cadmium, antimony, arsenic, bismuth and mercury. Saidcombination of properties allows to use this agent for enhancing thebiological value and activity of feeds; and such feeds are recommendedespecially for improving the quality of fir of the furry animals, forstimulating growth and development and the other important physiologicalprocesses in the body of animals and poultry, for the reduction of thelevel of heavy metals and toxic compounds in milk of the dairy animalsand in meat of livestock and poultry.

[0134] The Preferable Embodiments of the Present Invention

[0135] Below several examples are provided for better illustration ofthe present invention, but not for limitation of the invention.

EXAMPLES IN THE FIELD OF FOOD PRODUCTION Example 1 Production of Vodka

[0136] A 40 vol. % ethanol-water mixture was prepared from rectifiedspirit “Extra” and potable water having hardness not more than 0.1mg-eqv/dm³ and treated on reverse osmotic apparatus. Then 0.07 kg sodiumhydrocarbonate and 0.1 kg “Unithiol” were added to 10,000 liters vodkaand mixed for 20-30 minutes. The resulting mixture was filtered througha coal filter at the flow rate of 30 dl/hour. After other traditionalprocedures the final product was bottled. The resulting vodka had soft,smooth taste and flavor; after consumption of the vodka, the hangoverwas milder than usual.

Example 2 Dry Beverage Mixture and a Method for Producing Thereof

[0137] 700 g of sugar were ground into powder for the beverage mixture.17 g ground salt, 17.5 g ground citric acid and 0.5 g disodium salt“Succimer”, all in dry form, were added, one after another, to ⅓ of thesugar powder. Each time the mixture was thoroughly agitated. 2.6 cm³orange flavor was added to the powder mixture during continuousagitation. 260 g powder of the dry fruit of sea-buckthorn and theremaining portion (⅔) of the sugar powder were added to the flavoredproduct. The resulting mass was divided in portions of 20 g each, andpackaged. Each package was designed for obtaining 200 cm³ beverage.

[0138] The prepared dry mixuture had uniform orange color, sour-sweettaste and fruit odor. The beverage reconstituted from the dry mixturehad an invigorating effect and provided significant alleviation of thehangover state severity.

Example 3 A Method for Producing Jelly Marmalade

[0139] To obtain jelly marmalade according to the present invention,gelatin with gel strength 180-220 g Blum was used. Gelatin was soaked in40 kg cherry juice having 11-13 wt. % solids content, and it was leftfor 2-3 hours at ambient temperature (up to 25° C.) for swelling and forthe formation of chelates; then gelatin is subjected to further swellingand solubilization at an elevated temperature (up to 50° C.) in areservoir during continuous agitation. Then another reservoir having amixer and heating jacket was filled with 25 kg sugar and 25 kg cherryjuice having 11-13% solids content; the mixture was heated up to 80° C.,15 kg treacle were added and the mixture was boiled to obtain syruphaving 78-79% solids content. Gelatin solution was poured into theresulting syrup at least at 70° C., and 2.2 kg citric acid and 0.01 g“Oxathiol” were added thereto. The mixture was dispensed into mouldsthrough a dispensing device and left until hardening. The final productwas packaged. Consumption of the product is recommended after thealcohol intake for alleviating the negative effects of intoxication.

Example 4 Mineral Water and a Method for Producing Thereof

[0140] 0.02 kg of the mixture of “Succimer” and “Unithiol” in a weightratio 9:1 was added introduced to 10 l of cool mineral water“Essentuki”. The solution was agitated and filtered. The beverage wasbottled, sealed and delivered to storage. The resulting beverage may beused as a rehabilitation means and as a means for alleviating alcoholhangover. The beverage also had beneficial physiological properties,because of the pronounced immunity correction effect.

Example 5 A Method for Producing Grape Nectar

[0141] For the production of grape nectar, 10 liters of natural grapejuice were diluted with equal volume of potable water. 0.26 dm³ of wineflavor was added. The mixture of 500 g sugar and 1 g “Unithiol” wasadded to the diluted juice. After agitation and filtering, the nectarwas ready for consumption.

Example 6 A Method for Producing Sugar Drops

[0142] A syrup comprising 50 kg of treacle, 50 kg of granulated sugarand water was prepared to obtain a sugar-treacle syrup. The syrup wasboiled down to 75% solids content. 1.4 kg of crystals of granulatedsugar were loaded into a pelletizer and treated intermittently withsugar-treacle syrup and sugar powder, to obtain sugar particles havingsize of 2-3 mm. The particulate sugar was moistened with sugar syrup,and then 18.0 kg of treacle was added therein, and the particles werecoated with 20 kg powder mixture comprising the peppermint fine powderand the mixture of sugar powder and “Oxanthiol” at 1:1 ratio. Themixture comprised 0.01 kg “Oxanthiol”. The moistening of the particulatesugar with the sugar-treacle syrup and the coating the particulate sugarwith the powder mixture were carried out until the weight of the dropsincreased up to 60 wt. % of the final product. Then the resultingparticles were treated with sugar syrup containing 0.17 kg food dye(tatrazine) and sugar powder. The obtained semi-finished product wassubjected to glossing with 0.2 kg vegetable oil comprising 0.18 kg beewax and 1.0 kg talc. Then the drops were dried and screened to separatedebris and the excess of sugar powder. The final drops had an averagesize of 5 mm, round shape, bright-yellow color, smooth shining surfaceand pleasant mint taste. The drops well dissolved in the mouth. Thedrops according to the present invention should to be taken afterconsumption of a large amount of beer or any other drink having lowcontent of alcohol, to reduce the negative effect thereof.

Example 7 A Method for Producing Crackers in the Form of Sticks

[0143] To produce crackers in the form of sticks, dough was kneadedaccording to a traditional formulation, by mixing baker's yeast, salt,high grade wheat flour and water, to obtain the moisture of up to 40%.The dough was shaped in the form of sticks and baked. The solution of“Dicaptol” (supplement) in the concentration of 15 mg/l was added to thesticks by means of spraying the solution on the salt crystals andpowdering the baked sticks with the treated salt. Then the sticks werepackaged. Said sticks are recommended to consume as a snack to beer, toreduce the negative effect of aldehydes and ketones therein.

Example 8 A Method for Producing Biscuits

[0144] For the production of biscuits, the traditional ingredients aremixed with with the predetermined amount of water to obtain the batteremulsion. As flavors, some powder spices, for example dill, were addedto the emulsion. The ingredients were used for 100 kg of flour in thefollowing amount: 15 kg of margarine, 4.5 kg of flavor additive, 7.0 kgof sugar, 2.3 kg of salt, 0.58 kg of food soda, 4 kg of carbon-ammoniumsalt, 0.021 kg of citric acid, 5 kg of starch and 0.01 kg of “Unithiol”.Then the mass was agitated and shaped in the form of biscuits which werebaked. The biscuits are recommended for elderly people as a substitutefor traditional bread; owing to dietetic properties inherent to thisproduct, it provides a pronounced physiologically beneficial stimulatingeffect.

Example 9 Food Supplement and Method for Preserving Caviar of HunchbackSalmon

[0145] 50 kg of hunchback salmon roes was loaded into a caviarseparating device. The roes were covered with 2.5% NaCl solution and thetemperature was brought up to 40° C. during agitatition; then anenzymatic agent in amount of 300 mg of the active protein per 1 kg ofroes, and the agitation was continued for the next 7 minutes. Then thesolution with separated pellicles was poured out, and the rinsing with3% NaCl solution at 0° C. was effected three times. The rinsing waterwas removed by decantation to remove the residual pellicles and debrisof the caviar. The washed caviar was put in 3% pickle comprising 2 g ofthe supplement according to the invention per 10 l solution. Thesupplement comprised NaCl, “Unithiol” and citric acid in the ratio of1:3:1. The ready caviar was packaged in tins and stored at a temperatureof from 4 to 6° C. The storage term was extended to 18 months.

[0146] Thus, the present invention is directed to the novel use ofvicinal dithioglycols as food additive or supplement having biologicallyactive properties, owing to the complex effect on the human body ofvicinal dithioglycols which have the combination of immunocorrectingproperties and chemical reactivity to ketone bodies and carbonylcompounds, in particular aldehydes and ketones. Said combination ofproperties, in addition to already known medicinal properties, allows touse said substances or mixtures as a food additive or supplement to thefood products, to increase the biological value and biological activityof the food products which are recommended in particular for thealleviation of hangover symptoms.

EXAMPLES OF COSMETIC AND DERMATOLOGICAL USE Example 1 Balm for the HeadSkin Care (Balsam)

[0147] The balsam was prepared having the following composition in wt.%: about 10% of isopropyl palmitate, about 3% of concentrate ofphosphatides with lecithin, about 3% of bentonite clay, about 2% ofkeratin hydrolyzate, about 2% of silicone wax, about 0.5% of an oilextract of α-tocopherol, about 0.5% of a fragrance, about 0.5% of 50%aqueous solution of “Succimer” disodium salt, about 0.5% of apreservative, and the rest (about 78%) is the emulsified liquidglycerides of the sea mammal subcutaneous fat. The obtained balsamprovides the stimulating effect on the skin and hair. The balsam may beapplied on the clean wet hair and skin of the head; it should beuniformly distributed along the hair and lightly rubbed into the skinfor 2-3 minutes. After 10 minutes of the exposure, the head should bewashed with warm water. The balsam makes the skin healthier, itstimulates the hair growth, resuscitates hairs and eliminates dandruff.

Example 2 Preparation for Treating a Sunburnt Skin

[0148] For the treatment of skin which was exposed to sun light(ultraviolet irradiation) for a long time, an ointment was prepared,which had the following composition (in weight %): about 2% of magnesiumsalt of aspartic acid, about 5% of water-alcohol solution of the extractof camomile flowers, about 1% of vitamins A, B₁, D, E, C, PP, about 4%of lecithin, about 1% of magnesium sulphate, about 2% of sodium lactate,about 1% of 50% ethanol solution of Unithiol, about 5% of glycerol,about 0.5% of preservative, about 3% of emulsifier, and the rest isethanol. Owing to the presence of Unithiol which binds peroxide radicalsforming in the burnt dermal layers and actively restores the water-saltbalance in dermal cells by means of transportation of magnesium ion andowing to the effect of the other active components of the composition,the skin damaged with the ultra-violet irradiation is quickly recovered.The preparation according to the present invention in the form ofemulsion or lotion should be applied every 3-4 hours on the exposed skinareas with a soft tampon or absorbent cotton.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FOR ANIMALS AND POULTRY Example 1

[0149] It is prepared a mixture of physiologically active substancesincluding the substances selected from the group consisting of an aminoacid or derivative thereof, vitamin or derivative thereof, enzyme,medicament, hormone, carbohydrate, microorganism and mineral substance;then Succimer is added to the mixture, and the mixture is agitated; theresulting composition is coated with a protective layer and granulated.The obtained granulated composition may be used as a feed additive forruminants; this composition allows to significantly reduce the level oflead and mercury in milk of dairy cows.

Example 2

[0150] A mixture is prepared, comprising amino acids lysine and cystine“Unithiol” and acetyl cellulose (as the filler), then the mixture issubjected to mild heating and moulding in tablets. The obtainedpreparation may be administered to furry animals subcutaneously, as animplant.

Example 3

[0151] For prevention of early senescence of the pet dogs and cats, aninjection solution was prepared by means of adding an aqueous solutionof Unithiol and other known active ingredients belonging to the group ofamino acids and vitamins, to a physiological salt solution. The preparedsolution was intramuscularly injected to the animals.

Example 4

[0152] Feed ration for broilers included a feed additive comprising anelevated level of heavy metals and arsenic. To reduce the level of saidsubstances in the meat of broilers, the mixture of Succimer and Unithiolat 2:3 ratio was added to their ration for one week prior to slaughter.The mixture of vicinal dithioglycols was used in the form of an aqueoussolution prepared for drinking, said solution comprised 100 mg of thedry mixture per one liter of the drinking solution.

[0153] The solution provided a positive effect; the content of mercury,cadmium, lead and zinc in the white and red meat of broilers did notexceed allowed levels.

Example 5

[0154] The experimental data have been obtained at the Chair ofStockfeeding and Feed Production of the Saint-Petersburg State Academyof Veterinary Medicine on request of the authors of the presentinvention.

[0155] A full-ration mixed-fodder was checked for the absence ofpathogens and used for feeding broilers. Thirty 15 days broilers weredivided into one control and 4 experimental groups having 6 chickenseach (3 male and 3 female chickens). Poultry were kept in a four-deckpen. The conditions of feeding such as the basic ration (BR) and theaddition of Unithiol according to the protocol were as follows:

[0156] Experimental group 1: BR+1.3 mg of “Unithiol” per 1 kg of thebody weight;

[0157] Experimental group 2: BR+1.7 mg of “Unithiol” per 1 kg of thebody weight;

[0158] Experimental group 3: BR+2.1 mg of “Unithiol” per 1 kg of thebody weight;

[0159] Experimental group 4: BR+2.5 mg of “Unithiol” per 1 kg of thebody weight.

[0160] Feeding was performed in accordance with experimental protocol;broilers received water ad libitum; the experiment was carried out for42 days.

[0161] In result of the experiment, optimal amounts of “Unithiol” in theration have been found. The presence of “Unithiol” in the ration inamount of about 1.7 mg per 1 kg of the body weight demonstrated thegrowth stimulating effect beginning from the 15^(th) day. The averageweight gain in this group was the largest, namely up to 35.8 g per day,and the gain rate was 145.9% from that in the control group. Featheringcondition improvement and increased fodder consumption were noted. Thelevel of cadmium, zinc, lead and copper in meat and liver of poultry inthe experimental groups was about 1.5 times lower than that in thecontrol group. The experimental data allow to recommend the wideapplication of “Unithiol” as an active ingredient of the feed additivefor broilers.

1. Use of vicinal dithioglycol of general chemical formula (I):

wherein R may represent the radicals as follows: (—H), or (—COOH), or(—SO₃H); X may represent the radicals as follows: (—H) or (—COOH), or(—OH), or (—CH₂—COOH), or (—CH₂—SO₃H), or (—CH₂—O—CH₂—SO₃H), or salts ofderivatives thereof comprising salt forming groups (—OH) or (—COOH), or(—SO₃H), as a food additive or supplement having the property ofirreversible binding carbonyl compounds present in food products and thehuman body, as well as the property of binding ketone bodies in thehuman organism, according to the reaction (2):

wherein R₁ and R₂ are any carbohydrate radicals or hydrogen, resultingin the formation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal which are easilyremovable from the human body, as well as able to form complexes withions of bivalent metals, for example calcium, magnesium and zinc, and toprovide a physiologically beneficial effect on the transportation ofsaid ions through the cell membranes, on the glycolysis process, on theenzymatic catalysis process, on the catabolism of carbohydrate moiety ofamino acids and on thiol-disulfide equilibrium in the metabolism ofamino acids.
 2. A food additive comprising a filler in amount of up to99.9999 wt. % of the total weight of the food additive and vicinaldithioglycol of general chemical formula (1), said additive having theproperty of irreversible binding carbonyl compounds present in foodproducts, according to the reaction (2):

wherein R₁ and R₂ are any carbohydrate radicals or hydrogen, saidreaction resulting in the formation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal whichare easily removable from the human body.
 3. A food additive accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the filler is selected from the groupconsisting of flavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biologically activeingredients, minerals and salts thereof, vitamins, enzymes,preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers, antioxidantsvegetable extracts, products of animal origin, sea products, extracts ofthe animal products or sea products, animal proteins, vegetableproteins, extracts of animal or vegetable proteins, amino acids,carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, potable water, mineral water ofany ionic composition, organic acids, organic substances including theproducts of microbial metabolism, products of biosynthesis, products ofphotosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract of microbial biomass,produced by any known method, and/or food additives or ingredients.
 4. Amethod for producing a food additive comprising mixing a filler inamount of up to 99.9999% of the total weight of the food additive andvicinal dithioglycol of general chemical formula (1), said additivehaving the property of irreversible binding carbonyl compounds presentin food products, according to the reaction (2) resulting in theformation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal which are easily removable fromthe human body.
 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe filler is selected from the group consisting of flavors, fragrances,coloring agents, biologically active ingredients, minerals and saltsthereof, vitamins, enzymes, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pHbuffers, antioxidants, vegetable extracts, products of animal origin,sea products, extracts of the animal products or sea products, animalproteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animal and vegetable proteins,amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, drinking water,mineral water of any ionic composition, organic acids, organicsubstances including metabolism products of microorganisms, products ofbiosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract ofthe microbial biomass produced by any known method, food additives oringredients.
 6. A food supplement comprising a filler in amount of up to99.9999% of the total weight of the food additive and vicinaldithioglycol of general chemical formula (1), said additive having theproperty of irreversible binding carbonyl compounds present in foodproducts, according to the reaction (2) as follows:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are any carbohydrate radicals or hydrogen, saidreaction resulting in formation of a cyclic thioacetal or ketal whichare easily removable from the human body, the additive being able toform complexes with ions of bivalent metals, for example calcium,magnesium and zinc, and to provide a physiologically beneficial effecton the transportation of said ions through the cell membranes, onglycolysis, on enzymatic catalysis, on the catabolism of carbohydratemoiety of amino acids, as well as on thiol-disulfide equilibrium in themetabolism of amino acids.
 7. A food supplement according to claim 6,characterized in that the filler is selected from the group consistingof flavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biologically activeingredients, minerals and salts thereof, vitamins, enzymes,preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers, antioxidants,vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, sea products, extracts ofthe animal products or sea products, animal proteins, vegetableproteins, extracts of animal and vegetable proteins, amino acids,carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, drinking water, mineral water ofany ionic composition, organic acids, organic substances includingmetabolism products of microorganisms, products of biosynthesis,products of photosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract of the microbialbiomass produced by any known method, food additives or ingredients. 8.A method for producing a food supplement comprising mixing a filler inamount of up to 99.9999% of the total weight of the food additive andvicinal dithioglycol of general chemical formula (1), said additivehaving the property of irreversible binding carbonyl compounds presentin food products, according to the reaction (2) resulting in theformation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal which are easily removable fromthe human body, the additive being able to form complexes with ions ofbivalent metals, for example calcium, magnesium and zinc, and to providea physiologically useful effect on the transportation of said ionsthrough the cell membranes, on glycolysis, on enzymatic catalysis, onthe catabolism of carbohydrate moiety of amino acids and onthiol-disulfide equilibrium in the metabolism of amino acids.
 9. Amethod according to claim 8, characterized in that the filler isselected from the group consisting of flavors, fragrances, coloringagents, biologically active ingredients, minerals and salts thereof,vitamins, enzymes, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers,antioxidants, vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, seaproducts, extracts of the animal products or sea products, animalproteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animal and vegetable proteins,amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, drinking water,mineral water of any ionic composition, organic acids, organicsubstances including metabolism products of microorganisms, products ofbiosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract ofthe microbial biomass produced by any known method, food additives oringredients.
 10. A food product comprising a food base and vicinaldithioglycol or a food additive comprising vicinal dithioglycol, or afood supplement comprising vicinal dithioglycol of general chemicalformula (1), said additive having the property of irreversible bindingcarbonyl compounds present in food products, according to the reaction(2) resulting in formation of a cyclic thioacetal or ketal that arereadily eliminated from the human body, as well as capable of formingcomplexes with ions of bivalent metals, for example calcium, magnesium,zinc, and exerting a physiologically useful effect on the transportprocesses of said ions through the cell membrane, on the glycolysisprocess, on the enzymatic catalysis process, on catabolism ofcarbohydrate moiety, as well as on thiol-disulfide equilibrium in themetabolism of amino acids, the food product having the following weightratio of vicinal dithioglycol or the food additive or supplementcomprising vicinal dithioglycol to the food base in weight %: vicinaldithioglycol or food additive comprising vicinal 0.0001-49 dithioglycolor food supplement comprising vicinal dithioglycol Food base the rest


11. The product according to claim 10, characterized in that the foodbase is beverage.
 12. The product according to claim 11, characterizedin that the beverage is advantageously an alcoholic drink or a softdrink or a mixture thereof.
 13. The product according to claim 12,characterized in that the alcoholic drink is a mixture of water andethanol.
 14. The product according to claim 13, characterized in that itfurther comprises flavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biologicallyactive ingredients, minerals and salts thereof, vitamins, enzymes,preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers, antioxidants,vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, sea products, extracts ofthe animal products or sea products, animal proteins, vegetableproteins, extracts of animal and vegetable proteins, amino acids,carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, potable water, mineral water ofany ionic composition, organic acids, organic substances including theproducts of microbial metabolism, products of biosynthesis, products ofphotosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract of the microbial biomassproduced by any known method, food additives or food ingredients. 15.The product according to claim 12, characterized in that the alcoholicdrink is selected from the group consisting of vodka, liqueurs includingfruit liqueur, schnapps, cognac, brandy, whisky, gin, rum, calvados,sake, tequila, other liquors, wine, vermouth, champagne, othereffervescent wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks having a low alcoholcontent.
 16. The product according to claim 12, characterized in thatthe soft drink comprises potable water taken in liquid state or in theform of ice, mineral water of any mineral composition suitable fordrinking, fruit juice, vegetable juice, or a mixture thereof in an anycombination and ratio, the drink may comprise milk or milk products,tea, coffee, cacao, kissel, compote or fruit drink.
 17. The productaccording to claim 16, characterized in that the soft drink furthercomprises flavoring substances, fragrances, coloring agents,biologically active components, mineral substances, salts thereof,vitamins, enzymes, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, buffers,anti-oxidants, vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, seaproducts, extracts of the products of animal origin or sea products,animal proteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animal and vegetableproteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, potablewater, mineral water of any ionic composition, organic acids, organicsubstances including the products of microbial metabolism, products ofbiosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract ofthe microbial biomass produced by any known method, food additives oringredients.
 18. The product according to claim 10, characterized inthat the food base is a confectionery product or a semi-finished productthereof.
 19. The product according to claim 18, characterized in thatthe confectionery product is caramel or marmalade, or chewing marmalade,or an expanded confectionery product comprising a texturing agent, orfarinaceous confectionery, or chewing gum, or ice cream, or a chocolateconfectionery product.
 20. The product according to claim 10,characterized in that the food base is sugar, salt or substitutesthereof, or dry beverage mixture.
 21. The product according to claim 10,characterized in that the food base is an extruded or semi-finishedproduct.
 22. The product according to claim 21, characterized in thatsaid extruded product is made from cereals or potato.
 23. The productaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the food base are apreserved product made from vegetables, fruit, meat, fish or berries.24. The product according to claim 23, characterized in that said fruitare olives.
 25. The product according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe food base is a bakery product.
 26. The product according to claim25, characterized in that the bakery product is crackers in the form ofsticks or disks, or it is in the form of ring-shaped rolls, or rusks.27. The product according to claim 10, characterized in that the foodbase is dried or candied fruit, nuts or seeds.
 28. The method forproducing a food product, comprising i adding vicinal dithioglycol or afood additive or supplement comprising vicinal dithioglycol of generalchemical formula (1) to a food base during or after preparation of thefood base, said additive having the property of irreversible bindingcarbonyl compounds present in food products, according to the reaction(2) resulting in the formation of cyclic thioacetal or ketal which areeasily removed from the human body, as well as able to form complexeswith ions of bivalent metals, for example calcium, magnesium and zinc,and to provide a physiologically beneficial effect on the transportationof said ions through the cell membranes, on glycolysis, on enzymaticcatalysis, on the catabolism of carbohydrate moiety of amino acids, aswell as on thiol-disulfide equilibrium in the metabolism of amino acids,the amount of vicinal dithioglycol or a food additive or supplementcomprising vicinal dithioglycol, being 0.0001÷49 wt. % of the totalweight of the product.
 29. The method according to claim 28characterized in that, prior to or after the adding step, the food base,or vicinal dithioglycol or the food additive or supplement comprisingvicinal dithioglycol, in any physical or chemical state is subjected tochemical treatment including the reaction of addition, splitting,oxidation or reduction, or to mechanical treatment, preferably tomixing, grinding, separation, vibration, isolation, dilution,filtration, degassing, vacuum blowing, carbonation or saturation withgas mixture, concentration effected preferably with the methods ofmembrane separation or sorption methods, or it may be subjected tothermal, electromagnetic, electrophysical, bioenergetic, acoustic orultrasound treatment, or aggregation.
 30. The method according to anyone of claims 28 and 29 characterized in that the step of adding vicinaldithioglycol or the food additive or supplement comprising vicinaldithioglycol is carried out by soaking, by dispersing solutioncomprising vicinal dithioglycol, by spraying dry vicinal dithioglycol ora dry mixture comprising thereof on the food base, by adhesion or bydifferent methods of surface application.
 31. The method according toany one of claims 28-30 characterized in that the food base is selectedfrom the group consisting of flavors, fragrances, coloring agents,biologically active ingredients, minerals and salts thereof, vitamins,enzymes, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers,antioxidants vegetable extracts, products of animal origin, seaproducts, extracts of the animal products or sea products, animalproteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animal or vegetable proteins,amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols, oils, potable water,mineral water of any ionic composition, organic acids, organicsubstances including the products of microbial metabolism, products ofbiosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, microbial biomass, extract ofmicrobial biomass, produced by any known method, and/or food additivesor ingredients.
 32. The method according to any one of claims 28-30,characterized in that the food base is beverage.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 32, characterized in that the beverage an alcoholicdrink or a soft drink or a mixture thereof.
 34. The method according toclaim 33, characterized in that said alcoholic drink is prepared bymixing potable water and ethanol.
 35. The method according to claim 34,characterized in that the mixture of water and ethanol further comprisesflavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biologically active ingredients,minerals and salts thereof, vitamins, enzymes, preservatives,emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers, antioxidants vegetable extracts,products of animal origin, sea products, extracts of the animal productsor sea products, animal proteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animalor vegetable proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols,oils, potable water, mineral water of any ionic composition, organicacids, organic substances including the products of microbialmetabolism, products of biosynthesis, products of photosynthesis,microbial biomass, extract of microbial biomass, produced by any knownmethod, and/or food additives or ingredients.
 36. The method accordingto claim 33, characterized in that said alcoholic drink is selected fromthe group consisting of vodka, liqueurs including fruit liqueur,schnapps, cognac, brandy, whisky, gin, rum, calvados, sake, tequila andother liquors, wine, vermouth, champagne and other effervescent wine,beer, or other alcoholic drinks having a low content of alcohol.
 37. Themethod according to claim 33, characterized in that the soft drink isselected from the group consisting of potable water in a liquid state orin the form of ice, mineral water of any mineral composition, fruitjuice, vegetable juice, or a mixture thereof in any combination andratio, the drink may comprise comprising milk or milk products, tea,coffee, cacao, kissel, compote, or fruit drink.
 38. The method accordingto claim 37, characterized in that the soft drink further comprisesflavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biologically active ingredients,minerals and salts thereof, vitamins, enzymes, preservatives,emulsifiers, stabilizers, pH buffers, antioxidants vegetable extracts,products of animal origin, sea products, extracts of the animal productsor sea products, animal proteins, vegetable proteins, extracts of animalor vegetable proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, alcohols,oils, potable water, mineral water of any ionic composition, organicacids, organic substances including the products of microbialmetabolism, products of biosynthesis, products of photosynthesis,microbial biomass, extract of microbial biomass, produced by any knownmethod, and/or food additives or ingredients.
 39. The method accordingto claim 28, characterized in that the food base is a confectionery orsemi-finished pro-duct.
 40. The method according to claim 39,characterized in that the confectionery is caramel or marmalade, orchewable marmalade, or an expanded confectionery product comprising atexturing agent, or farinaceous confectionery, or chewing gum, or icecream, or a chocolate confectionery product.
 41. The method according toclaim 28, characterized in that the food base is sugar, salt orsubstitutes thereof, or dry beverage mixture.
 42. The method accordingto claim 28, characterized in that the food base is an extruded productor semi-finished product.
 43. The method according to claim 42,characterized in that the extruded product is made from cereals orpotato.
 44. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that thefood base is a preserved product from vegetables, fruit, meat, fish,berries or a mixture thereof.
 45. The method according to claim 44,characterized in that the preserved fruit is olives.
 46. The methodaccording to claim 28, characterized in that the food base is a bakeryproduct or a mixture of the ingredients of the bakery product.
 47. Themethod according to claim 46, characterized in that the bakery productis crackers in the form of sticks or disks, or the product is in theform of ring-shaped rolls, or rusks.
 48. The method according to claim28, characterized in that the food base is dried or candied fruit, nutsor seeds.
 49. Use of at least one vicinal dithioglycol as an activeingredient of a cosmetic composition or a dermatological composition, oras a cosmetic agent, or as a dermatological agent, or as adermatological medicament.
 50. A physiologically active agent fortreating the skin keratin materials produced in the form of a cosmeticor dermatological composition or a dermatological therapeutic agent, forexample ointment or a dressing, characterized in that it comprises atleast one vicinal dithioglycol in a cosmetically or dermatologicallyacceptable carrier.
 51. An agent according to claim 50 characterized inthat vicinal dithioglycol or a mixture of vicinal dithioglycols is inamount of from 0.00001 to 99 wt. % on the basis of the total weight ofthe agent, and preferably from 0.0001 to 25 wt. % and more preferablyfrom 0.001 to 5 wt. %.
 52. The agent according to any one of claims 50and 51 characterized in that it further comprises at least one additiveselected from the group consisting of thickeners, fatty acids, esters offatty acids, esters of fatty acids with glycerol, silicones,surfactants, emulsifiers, perfumes, preservatives, sun filters,proteins, amino acids, derivatives of amino acids, organic acids,derivatives of organic acids, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, derivativesof vitamins, polymers, vegetable oils including essential oils, animaloils, mineral or synthetic oils, vegetable extracts, animal extracts,bee products, derivatives of lipids, derivatives of proteins, saltsolutions, microelements, tanning substances, biologically activesubstances and any other additive traditionally used in the field ofcosmetics and dermatology.
 53. The agent according to claim 52characterized in that the salt solution comprises ions of magnesiumcalcium and/or other bivalent metal.
 54. The agent according to claims52 and 53 characterized in that in the proteins comprise collagen,keratin, or derivatives thereof, for example hydrolyzates.
 55. The agentaccording to any one of claims 50-54 characterized in that thecosmetically or dermatologically acceptable carrier is water or anaqueous mixture comprising at least one cosmetically acceptable solvent.56. The agent according to claims 55 characterized in that water issubjected to special treatment, for example demineralization, degassing,distillation, carbonation or saturation with a mixture of gases,electrophysical treatment, electromagnetic treatment, acoustic or inparticular ultrasonic treatment, pressure-membranous treatment, orbioenergetic treatment.
 57. The agent according to claims 55 and 56characterized in that the cosmetically acceptable solvent is selectedfrom the group consisting of monoatomic alcohols, polyatomic alcohols,glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and mixtures thereof.
 58. The agentaccording to any one of claims 50-57 characterized in that at least onevicinal dithioglycol is dissolved in the cosmetically ordermatologically acceptable carrier or it is in the form of suspension.59. The agent according to any one of claims 50-58 characterized in thatit is designed for applying on the skin in particular on the head skinor keratin material, in particular on human hair.
 60. The agentaccording to any one of claims 50-59 characterized in that it is in theform of gel, liniment, emulsion, grease, ointment, balsam, lotion, foam,shampoo, or hair spray, and it may be in the form of an agent for thehair treatment, for example, for rinsing, coloring, discoloring, waving,straitening, fixing, and it may be in the form of an agent for the skintreatment, for example, an ointment, mask, tonic, cleaner, spray, powderincluding a liquid powder, compact-powder, cosmetic pencil, or in adifferent form traditionally used in the field of cosmetology ordermatology.
 61. The agent according to any one of claims 50-60characterized in that it is packaged into a tube, small jar, vial ofresilient or rigid materials, a pulverizer or aerosol container forspray or foam.
 62. A method for therapeutic or non-therapeutic treatmentof the skin keratin materials in particular human hair characterized inthat it comprises the step of applying an agent according to any one ofclaims 50-61 on the skin or keratin materials.
 63. The method fortreatment according to claim 62 characterized in that after thetreatment, the applied agent is completely or partially removed, forexample with a special hygienic absorbing means or by washing.
 64. Aphysiologically active agent for animals and poultry comprising anactive ingredient and a filler or solvent, characterized in that theactive ingredient is at least one vicinal dithioglycol of generalchemical formula (I):

wherein R may represent the following radicals: (—H) or (—COOH), or(—SO₃H); X may represent the following radicals: (—H) or (—COOH), or(—OH), or (—CH₂—COOH), or (—CH₂—SO₃H), or (—CH₂—O—CH₂—SO₃H), or salts ofderivatives thereof, comprising salt forming groups (—OH) or (—COOH), or(—SO₃H),
 65. The agent according to claim 64 characterized in that thefiller is a feed base, the weight ratio between vicinal dithioglycol ora mixture of vicinal dithioglycols and the feed base, being (in weight%): vicinal dithioglycol or a mixture of vicinal dithioglycols0.00001-49 feed base the rest


66. The agent according to any one of claims 64 and 65 characterized inthat it comprises the filler or solvent in amount of up to 99.99999% ofthe total weight of the agent.
 67. The agent according to any one ofclaims 65 and 66 characterized in that the feed base comprises productsof animal or vegetable origin, sea products, extracts thereof, organicacids, microbial biomass, extract of the microbial biomass, products ofbiosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, products of chemicalsynthesis, pharmaceutical products, by-products of microbiological orfood or pharmaceutical industries.
 68. The agent according to any one ofclaims 65, 66 and 67 characterized in that the feed base is a liquid.69. The agent according to any one of claims 65, 66 and 67 characterizedin that the feed base is sugar, salt, or dry mixtures to bereconstituted with a liquid.
 70. The agent according to any one ofclaims 65, 66 and 67 characterized in that the feed base is an extrudedor semi-finished product.
 71. The agent according to any one of claims65, 66 and 67 characterized in that the feed base further comprisesvitamins or derivatives thereof, enzymes, amino acids or derivativesthereof, hormones, minerals or salts thereof, organic acids orderivatives thereof, antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers,stabilizers, microorganisms, nutrients, flavors, fragrances, or coloringagents.
 72. The agent according to claim 64 characterized in that it isan implant.
 73. The agent according to claim 64 characterized in that itis a mixture for inhalation.
 74. The agent according to claim 64characterized in that it is a solution for injections.
 75. The agentaccording to claim 64 characterized in that the solvent is alcohol, oil,pH buffer, saline, potable water, or mineral water of any composition.76. A method for producing a physiologically active agent for animalsand poultry comprising the step of adding an active ingredient oringredients to a filler or solvent, characterized in that the activeingredient(s) is at least one vicinal dithioglycol of general chemicalformula (1), the amount of vicinal dithioglycol or the mixture ofdithioglycols being 0.0001÷49% of the total weight of the agent.
 77. Themethod for producing an agent according to claim 76, characterized inthat prior to, during or after the adding step, the components of themixture are subjected to chemical treatment including the reaction ofaddition, splitting, oxidation, reduction, or to mechanical treatment,advantageously to mixing, grinding, separation, vibration, isolation,dilution, filtration, degassing, vacuum blowing, carbonation orsaturation with a gas mixture, concentration, preferably with themethods of membrane separation or sorption methods, and the componentsof the mixture may be subjected to thermal, electromagnetic,electrophysical, bioenergetic, acoustic or ultrasound treatment, oraggregation.
 78. The method according to claim 76, characterized in thatthe adding of vicinal dithioglycol is carried out by any method ofsurface application, by soaking, by dispersing a solution comprising atleast one vicinal dithioglycol, or by spraying, and thereafter theproduct may be subjected to a pre-sale treatment, advantageously toaggregation, granulation, tabletting, cooling, heating, pasteurization,sterilization, pre-packaging, or packaging.
 79. Use of at least onevicinal dithioglycol of general formula (I) as an active ingredient of afeed additive.
 80. A method for feeding animals and poultry, comprisingintroducing a physiologically active agent in the ration, characterizedin that the physiologically active agent is an agent according to anyone of claims 64-71, 75, or an agent produced by a method according toany one of claims 76-78, said agent being given as an ingredient of afeed or feed additive.
 81. A physiologically active agent for peroraladministration, in particular for therapeutic ortherapeutic-prophylactic applications, comprising at least one vicinaldithioglycol and at least one substance being a source of a metal ormetals, for example, a bivalent metal.